As a registered charity your organisation will have many funding opportunities.  Almost the only funders for non- charities are The Big Lottery  and some local sources

There are many hundreds of trusts offering grants to charitable organisations.  The grants available range from hundreds to thousands of pounds.  But before submitting an application you need to find out as much as you can about a particular funder and ensure that your application is appropriate,  otherwise you could waste hours of hard work for no result.

To increase your chances of success follow these simple guidelines:

• Obtain application guidelines if they are available
• Read the guidelines carefully
• Check that your activities meet the criteria
• Choose funders who can afford the money you need.
• Choose funders who will consider the amount of money you need, or certain items of your budget
• Plan ahead.  Funders can take up to 9 months to give you a final decision, or the first installment of a grant - it’s a slow process.

If there is an application form FILL IT IN!  Usually deciding panels receive copies on which to form their opinions.  A grant administrator will most probably read through additional information and present a summary of this at the decision meeting.

If a letter of application is requested, keep this to two sides of A4.  Be sure to sign it and include the name, address and telephone number of someone who knows about the application and can give further information if required.

DON’T

• Make Emotional appeals
• Ask vaguely for assistance
• Present shopping lists of needs
• Write a brief letter referring to lots of other papers
• Use Acronyms of organisations
• Lose files referring to the application
• Write over-long applications and then apologise          (AvoidingtheastepaperBasket;TimCook)

Where to get Help and Information

Voluntary Action Luton, (the local Council for Voluntary Service), will have a range of directories giving details about grant-making trusts.  They will have up-to-date information on available funding opportunities locally and regionally.  Voluntary Action Luton also has a database programme called Funderfinder to help you identify funders most likely to support your work.

At Voluntary Action Luton you can get advice at every step of the process -

• Finding appropriate funders
• Planning your budget
• Completing the application
• Managing the money (if you get it)

Finally, DON’T PANIC!  If the deadline for a funding opportunity means submitting an ill-prepared application think hard before rushing in.  If you get the money you will have to be able to fulfil your proposal and without proper planning this could prove a drain on your core activity.  -

THERE WILL BE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.